Love Endures
by Dani
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
"Good morning, darling," Ben whispered as he watched Meg's eyes slowly flutter open. "Did you sleep well?" he asked as he smiled down at her.
"Mmm... Very well," she muttered as she opened her eyes completely and reached up to kiss him. "How long have you been awake?"
"Not long," he replied as he brushed a stray strand of hair away from her cheek. "Audrey woke me up a little while ago."
"Audrey woke up? Why didn't I hear her?" she asked. "The children ALWAYS wake me up when they cry."
"Well, darling, I think you were just very tired. Yesterday was a long day."
"I know that, Ben, but I always know when they need me. What's wrong with me?"
"Nothing's wrong with you, sweetheart. You were just tired. All of those tests with Tyus yesterday just took everything out of you. Besides, she didn't cry very much... I have to admit, I was already awake when she woke up..."
"Already awake? Ben, it's early, and you've already been up?"
"I couldn't sleep. I woke up early this morning and looked at your beautiful face, and you just looked so peaceful... More peaceful than you've looked in a long time... And I just couldn't take my eyes off you..."
"Ben..." she whispered and reached over to kiss him again.
"Well, it's true. Now that I know that you and the baby are healthy and strong, I can enjoy the little things like that again... The little things that I've missed in the last few weeks..."
"Oh, Ben, I'm sorry... I know I haven't exactly been the best wife to you lately..."
"Meg, you've been a WONDERFUL wife. I can't blame you for being so worried. I have been, too, but now that we know that you and the baby are alright..."
She smiled, enjoying the moment that she and Ben could believe that everything would turn out just as perfect as they wanted. They both knew that Tyus had said keeping both Meg and the baby healthy for the entire pregnancy would take quite a bit of work, to say the least - and quite a bit of faith. "I know... Everything is perfect..." she said, although it didn't sound as convincing as she had planned.
"Hey... What's all of this negativity I hear? You're healthy and the baby's healthy, and I plan to keep it that way until I can hold both of you in my arms nine months from now and look into your eyes, and then into our baby's eyes and tell each of you just how much I love you... And you're gonna smile at me with that gorgeous smile of yours that I know you really want to give me right now," he grinned as he lightly tapped her chin, "and our baby will grab my finger, just like Jacob and Audrey did when they were born, and I'm gonna fall in love with that baby all over again, just like I fall in love with you all over again every, single, precious day of our life together... I love you, Meg, and I promise you that if I have ANYTHING to do with this, we're gonna come out of it better than ever... And I'll love you even more then - if that's possible..."
Meg smiled at him as he gently wiped a single tear from her cheek. "I love you very much, Ben. More than I could ever put into words..."
He enveloped her in his arms and gently kissed her lips. "You're so incredible," he whispered as he
stroked her hair softly. "And I love you so much..."They kissed again, this time more passionately, as they held one another tightly. "Ben... We can't..." she sighed.
As if on cue, Jacob turned the doorknob slowly and entered the bedroom. Ben and Meg pulled apart and looked over at their son in the doorway. They both laughed and welcomed the little boy with open arms...
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
"Ben, I really don't think that a nanny is necessary..."
"Meg, darling, I told you that I plan on taking very good care of you throughout this pregnancy, and I meant that. And if that means hiring a nanny or a housekeeper or anything else, I plan on doing it."
"But I think I can handle taking care of the children and keeping the house clean, Ben. That's just what I do."
"Yes, I know that, Meg, but you have to remember that you're pregnant now..."
She looked at him questioningly. "And you think that I don't KNOW that? Ben, I'm up all hours of the night because I have these ridiculous cravings, and every morning I wake up with horrible morning sickness. Believe me, Ben, I DO remember that I'm pregnant."
He couldn't help laughing at her outburst. "I'm sure you do, sweetheart, but I don't think you understand how worried I am about you. You mean the world to me, Meg, and I don't plan on letting you go this soon..."
"Well, you're not going to. I've been pregnant twice already, and I think that I should be able to survive this one just as easily as the first two."
"But this is different, Meg. The first two times, your life wasn't in danger. I don't want to take any risks on losing you OR this baby."
"I know that, but I just don't think a nanny is necessary. If I can't take care of my own children, what am I supposed to do for the next nine months?"
"You're supposed to take it easy. But if you won't agree to a nanny, then at least let me hire a housekeeper to take care of that much..."
After a brief pause, she reluctantly conceded. "Alright, Ben. If you insist."
"Good," he smiled. "Someone's supposed to be over this afternoon."
"You called someone before you even spoke to me about this?! Ben, I can't believe you did that," she answered, trying to sound upset.
"I knew that you would see my point in the matter," he replied. "Besides, even if you didn't, I would have hired someone anyway."
"You would, would you?" she asked. "I suppose I should expect that from you, Mr. Evans," she smiled.
"You worry too much."
"I only worry about important things, and you and our children are VERY important to me," he answered.
"I have a right to worry about all of you." He leaned over to kiss her softly. "I love you too much not to..."
"Well, I love you, too... And since the children are with Sara and Casey for the morning, why don't I show you just how much..." she grinned.
"Meg, are you sure that will be okay?" he asked between the kisses Meg gave him. "The baby..."
"Yes, I'm sure," she replied. "I wouldn't offer if I wasn't sure," she smiled.
"Then let me help you out," he grinned. "I don't want you on your feet for long," he smiled as he lifted her into his arms, and whisked her up the stairs...
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
"No, Jacob, you can't have ice cream for dinner," Meg laughed. "How many times do I have to tell you that?"
"But, Mommy..."
"Jacob, no arguing. Now go upstairs and clean up your room while I finish dinner," she instructed. Jacob hurried up the stairs, just as Meg had ordered, and Meg continued preparing dinner. Audrey was sitting in her high chair, playing with the new book Ben had given her.
Ben arrived home and heard the noise coming from the kitchen. He quietly entered the room. Audrey immediately spotted him, but Meg was too engrossed in the task at hand to notice. Ben quickly raised his finger to his lips, instructing Audrey to remain quiet.
He walked over, placed the bouquet of white roses on the kitchen table, and wrapped his arms around Meg's waist. "Hello, my beautiful, loving wife," he smiled as he leaned down to kiss her neck.
She turned around in his arms. "Hello, my tall, dark, and handsome husband," she replied and reached up to kiss him. "I didn't hear you come in."
"That's because I was very careful not to make any noise," he said. "I wanted to surprise you."
"Surprise me?"
"Yes... With these," he smiled as he turned to pick up the flowers and hand them to her.
"Ben, they're beautiful," she smiled. "Thank you," she added as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him again.
"You're welcome," he replied and gave her one more tiny kiss. "It's been awhile since I gave you a bouquet of roses, so I thought I'd bring some tonight.You look especially lovely tonight, by the way," he smiled.
Meg looked at him and laughed. "Ben, I look horrible."
"No, Meg, you look beautiful." He gently placed his hand on her slightly bulging stomach and smiled.
"You look just as radiant as you did when you were carrying Jacob and Audrey."
"Ben..."
"I mean it, Meg. You have never looked more beautiful to me." He ran his fingers through her hair and kissed her cheek lightly. "I must admit that you look even more amazing when one of our children is growing inside of you..."
A single tear ran down Meg's cheek as she recalled the fear she had once had that she and Ben would never have children again. Now she had made it through the first three months of the pregnancy - with hardly any difficulties at all. She placed her hand over Ben's on her stomach and looked up at him. "It's pretty amazing to be ABLE to have one of our children growing inside of me, too," she said, smiling through tears.
"I love you," he whispered.
"I love you, too," she replied and reached up to kiss him again.
Their kiss was interrupted by a sudden thud.
"What was that?" Ben said after they quickly parted.
"I don't know..." She looked over at Audrey and laughed. "I think your daughter wants a little attention," she said when she noticed that the book Audrey had been playing with had been thrown from the high chair.
Ben smiled as he walked over to pick up the little girl. "You aren't jealous of your mother, are you?" he laughed as he carried her over to stand by Meg.
"I think she is," Meg smiled. "But I promise, sweetie, that I will share him," she informed her daughter. "Ladies, there is enough of me to go around," Ben chuckled.
Jacob entered the kitchen again and saw that Ben had arrived home.
"Daddy!" he exclaimed and rushed over to join the rest of the family.
"Hi, son," Ben smiled as he ruffled his hair a little. "Have you been good for your mother today?"
"Yes, Daddy," he replied. "I cleaned up my toys," he stated proudly.
"Good for you, son," Ben answered. "And were there anymore problems with the housekeeper today?" he asked.
"No, Daddy," he answered quietly.
"Meg?" Ben said as he turned to look at his wife.
"No, Ben, he didn't destroy the house while she was working today. Tina did quite nicely without him following her around and ruining everything she did," she laughed.
"Good," Ben said simply. "I'm proud of you, Jacob."
Jacob smiled brightly at his father's praise. "Let's go to the beach!" he said excitedly.
"You know, I think he would live out on the beach if we'd let him," Ben laughed.
Meg smiled back at her husband. "I think you're right, but we aren't going to let him. No, Jacob. Dinner's almost ready," she informed him as she turned back to the preparations.
"Come on, children. Let's help your mother..."
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
"Come on, Meg... You're almost there..." Ben urged.
"I can't... Ben, this is so much different than Jacob..." Meg sighed as she threw her head back on the pillow.
"I know, darling, but it will be fine. I promise..." he soothed as he stroked her hair back and gently kissed her forehead.
"Ben, I can't... I can't do this..." she replied, exhausted.
"Yes, you can. You have to. We're going to meet our second child today, Meg... You're almost there, sweetheart. Come on..."
"I'm trying, Ben..." she said quietly and then closed her eyes...
"Meg? Meg, are you alright? Tyus, what's wrong with her?!" Ben exclaimed.
Ben watched as Tyus and the other medical staff in the room rushed about, following each of Tyus' orders.
"Tyus, please tell me what's happening," Ben pleaded as he stood there helplessly. "Please..."
"Ben, the baby's almost here and I need you to just stay back while I take care of this..."
"But what about Meg?!"
Tyus ignored Ben's question and went back to work. Ben sat down in the chair by Meg's side and held her hand tightly. She'd been in labor for nearly 24 hours and it had finally just been too much for her. "Come on, Meg. Get up, sweetheart. You've got to be here to meet our baby... I need you, Meg. Come on... Wake up..."
Suddenly the room was filled with the sound of a baby's cry...
"Thank God," Ben sighed when he heard that beautiful sound. "Tyus, is the baby alright?" he asked impatiently.
"She appears to be fine, Ben. We just need to do some tests..."
"She?" He turned back to Meg, who was still unconscious. "Meg, it's a girl... A girl, just like we wanted... I know we both said we didn't care whether it was a boy or girl, but I know that you wanted a girl... To wear all of those little dresses that you looked at... And, I... Well, I'm sure you knew that I wanted a girl," he smiled weakly.
"Daddy's little girl, right? Now we've got a son and a daughter... Come on, Meg... You've got to wake up... You have to see our little girl..."
"Ben, you need to step away for a minute. We need to take care of Meg," Tyus instructed. Ben reluctantly stepped aside.
"Mr. Evans, would you like to see your daughter?" the nurse asked.
"Yes... Yes, I would," he replied as the nurse handed the tiny baby to him. He took one look at the little girl and was immediately reminded of Meg. "You look just like your mother..." He smiled slightly as a single tear flowed down his cheek.
"Ben... Ben, where are you?" Ben released a sigh of relief at the sound of Meg's voice and carried the baby back to Meg's side.
"I'm right here, darling... And so is our little girl..."
"Girl? We have a daughter?" she questioned.
"Yes, Meg, and she's just as beautiful as you," he answered as he sat back down by the bed.
Meg looked over at him and smiled weakly. She lifted her hand to wipe the tear from his cheek.
"Congratulations, Mr. Evans," she whispered. Ben smiled at her, thankful that she had survived the delivery. "Congratulations to you, too, Mrs. Evans..."
"Ben? Ben, sweetheart, wake up..." Meg said as she kissed her husband's forehead lightly.
"What?" He opened his eyes and looked up at her, standing before him with one hand bracing her back and the other on her stomach.
"You need to get up, Ben. We have an appointment with Tyus in half an hour."
"Oh, yes. I should get up then, shouldn't I?" he smiled. "I just had the strangest dream..."
"Really? And what was that?" she asked curiously as she sat down on the bed and watched him get dressed.
"I dreamed about the day Audrey was born..."
"Oh..." she said quietly. "Ben, do you think that this baby's birth will be as difficult?"
"I hope not, Meg... We're doing everything we can to make sure that this baby is fine, and I have complete faith that it will be..."
"I hope you're right, Ben. I don't think you could handle a scare like that last one," she said quietly as Ben sat down beside her.
"Hey..." He placed his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close to him. "It all turned out great, didn't it? Audrey's perfectly healthy, and you pulled through it wonderfully. I'm sure that this baby's birth will turn out just as well."
"But it DIDN'T turn out great, Ben. Audrey and I almost died that day, and now I'm carrying another child... What if... What if we aren't that lucky this time, Ben?" Ben held back tears as he considered the possibility. "No, Meg... No... I won't even allow you to THINK like that."
"Ben, it's true. Maybe... Maybe I won't survive this birth... Maybe the baby won't... Maybe... Maybe neither of us will..."
Ben sighed, stood up, and helped Meg get up from the bed. "Come on, Meg. We've got an appointment to get to..."
CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
As the days passed ever so slowly, Meg began to fear the arrival of the baby, possibly even more than she looked forward to meeting the newest addition of the Evans family. Although Meg was extrememly nervous about the day that would come in less than five months, Ben was even more worried. He was being forced to watch his wife endure nine months of pregnancy, only to watch her suffer on the awaited day...
"Ben, could you help me out a little?" Meg asked as she reached for the box on the top shelf of the closet.
"Meg, darling, what are you doing?" he asked as he came to her aid.
"I want to look through this box," she replied.
"Do you know what this is?" she smiled. He looked at her and could immediately tell what she was thinking. "I bet it's something that you really want me to remember, isn't it?"
"Yes..." she smiled. Ben opened the box and pulled out two blankets - one pink and one blue. He held up the blue one.
"This, my dear, would be the blanket that we brought Jacob home from the hospital in... And this..." He held up the pink one. "...was Audrey's."
"Very good, Mr. Evans," Meg smiled. "And what is this?" she asked as she held up a maroon cotton towel.
"Well... Let me see..." he teased. "That is the towel that we wrapped Jacob in when he was born in our bedroom."
"Oh, so you DO remember?" she smiled.
"Of course. How could I forget? I caught him when you gave birth to him, Meg." She smiled, recalling the birth. "Pretty amazing, huh?" She picked up a soft, yellow, stuffed kitten. "And what is this?"
"That's Audrey's all time favorite toy. Miss Kitty," he laughed. "And I distinctly recall interrupting one of your play sessions," he grinned. "Ben..." she giggled.
"It was adorable, Meg," he smiled. "You've always been wonderful with the children."
"And so have you," she replied. They continued rummaging through the box, laughing as they recalled silly little memories that really weren't so silly at all..."
"Ben?"
"Yes, sweetheart?" he replied as he looked at Jacob's stuffed yellow duck in his hand.
"Do you ever think about what this baby will be like?"
"Of course I do, Meg. Why do you ask?"
"Well, I was just thinking..."
"About what?"
"I was just wondering about silly little things..."
"Such as?"
"Well, Ben, I know what you're going to say, but are you hoping for a boy or a girl?"
"Meg, you know that doesn't matter to me. All I care about is whether you and the baby are healthy. You know that..."
She smiled at him. "I feel the same way... As long as she's healthy...""She?" Ben asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, she... I just have this feeling about it, Ben," she said as she placed her hand on her stomach and glanced down at it.
"So, you think we're having a girl, huh?" "Yes, I think we are," she grinned.
"Well, I just happen to think that this baby is a boy," he teased.
"You do, do you? Well, I suppose we'll just have to wait and see..."
CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
"Have I told you lately how much I love you?" Meg smiled up at her husband. "Ben, you tell me every day how much you love me," she replied. "How about me? Have I told you how much I love YOU lately?"
"You have, but you don't have to," Ben grinned. "This is enough to let me know how much you love me," he continued as he placed his hand on her stomach.
"Well, I'll be telling you just how much I love you every day for the rest of our lives," she said as she placed her hand over his on her stomach.
"Are you ready to see this precious little one?" Ben asked.
"Yes, I am," she smiled. "I just wish Tyus would hurry."
"So do I," he replied. "I can't wait to see this baby."
"Neither can I..."
"Then let's not wait any longer," Tyus said as he entered the room. "I'm ready to get started if the two of you are."
"We're definitely ready, Tyus," Ben said anxiously, taking Meg's hand in his.
"Wonderful," Tyus responded as he began the sonogram. Soon there was a tiny blur on the screen.
"There's the baby," Tyus said, pointing out the object.
Ben leaned down to kiss Meg tenderly. "It's just as amazing every time," he whispered.
"Mmm..." she mumbled. "It is..."
Ben looked back over to Tyus. "Does everything look alright?" he asked.
"Yes, everything seems to be... Wait. What's this?" he said, looking at the picture on the screen
more closely."What's wrong, Tyus?" Meg asked when she saw the look on his face.
"Nothing, Meg. The babies are fine..."
"Thank God," Ben sighed. He then took a moment to let Tyus' words register. "Wait a minute... Tyus, did you say babies?" he asked, stunned.
"Yes, Ben, I said babies." Ben and Meg looked at each other in complete disbelief. Meg smiled and Ben returned her smile with a gentle kiss.
"I can't believe this," she whispered. Ben smiled back at her and then looked up at Tyus when the realization hit him...
"Tyus, will Meg and the babies be alright?" he asked, wondering if the added child would cause anymore difficulties.
"Ben, you know that this pregnancy is already a concern..."
"Yes, we know that," Ben responded. "But is this going to make things worse?"
"Ben, please... Don't say that..." Meg said before Tyus could answer.
"Why not, Meg? I'm worried about you and the babies," Ben replied.
"Because I don't want to hear you say anything about these babies making things worse, Ben. They're only making things better, and I don't want you to EVER say that they're making things worse," Meg scolded.
"I'm sorry, Meg, but I'm just worried about you... all three of you..."
"I know... But, please, Ben, don't say that..."
"Alright, alright. I won't." Tyus then continued to inform Ben and Meg of the situation. "Ben, to answer your question, it COULD make things more difficult, of course, but only if we allow it to. As long as you keep up with what you've been doing, Meg, you and the babies should be fine."
"Thank God," Ben uttered again as he lifted Meg's hand to his lips and kissed it tenderly. "We're having twins..." he smiled.
Meg looked deep into his eyes. "Congratulations, Dad..."
Ben grinned at her. "Congratulations, Mom..."
CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
"Meg Evans, what on earth are you doing?" Ben asked.
"Ben, what does it look like I'm doing?" she retorted.
"It looks like you're about to hurt yourself," he replied as he took the box from her. "Why are you doing this?"
"Well, Ben, the babies will be here in four months, and we've hardly started on the nursery."
"Meg, darling, we have FOUR MONTHS. That will be plenty of time to get this room in order. Besides, we've done this twice before, you know. I'd think we'd be pros by now," he smiled.
"You're right," she smiled. "But we have twice the work to do this time," she added as she rubbed her stomach.
Ben placed his hand by Meg's on her stomach. He looked down at the place his hand touched and then looked up into Meg's eyes. "Thank you, Meg..."
She smiled at him. "You're welcome, Ben, but what have I done?" "This," he said simply, indicating her swollen stomach. "Meg, I know that I was skeptical about this pregnancy in the beginning, but I'm very glad that you convinced me that everything would work out. I don't know why I ever doubted the power of our love for an instance..."
"Ben, I know that you only meant it for the best..."
"I did, Meg, but I should have realized that we could survive anything... Together..."
"I love you, Ben," Meg whispered as she reached up to wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him.
"I love you, too, Meg," he replied. They stood there, embracing one another, for a moment...
"Ooh..." Meg uttered.
"What? What is it?" Ben asked worriedly.
"Nothing," she smiled. "The babies are kicking. Here..." She took his hand and placed it on her stomach.
"Amazing," he said quietly.
"What are you doing, Daddy?" Jacob asked as he entered the room.
Ben looked over at his son and smiled. "Jacob, Mommy and I are feeling the babies kicking."
"Kicking? The babies can kick?" he asked, shocked.
Ben chuckled. "Yes, son, they can."
"Would you like to feel it, sweetie?" Meg asked. He hesitated before nodding his head. "Come here," Meg instructed as she walked over to the rocking chair. She sat down in the chair while Ben and Jacob sat in the floor beside her. "Give me your hand," she said to Jacob and then placed his hand over her stomach. For a moment, there was no movement, but suddenly there was a flurry of activity. Jacob looked up at his mother with wide eyes. Meg smiled at him and then at Ben.
"Audrey should be here," Ben said and then got up to get his daughter. Moments later, father and daughter returned.
"Here we are," he smiled. He watched as Jacob placed Audrey's hand by his on Meg's stomach. "The whole family... All six of us..."
CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT
"Ben, sweetheart, could you help me out please?" Meg called from the nursery.
"I'm coming, Meg," Ben called from Audrey's room. "Just a minute..." He continued helping Audrey clean up the room, picking up her toys and making the bed. So far, the pregnancy had come along wonderfully. Despite Tyus' warnings about possible problems, Meg and the babies had been perfectly healthy for the first seven months of the pregnancy, and Ben was feeling better and better about it as the days passed without difficulty.
"Audrey, could you hand me that?" Ben smiled as he pointed to the block she had missed. Audrey picked it up and carried it over to her father. "Thank you, darling." He gently kissed her forehead.
"Ben, honey, could you please come in here?" Meg asked again.
"I'm coming, Meg," he called again, and suddenly felt an unexplainable sense of urgency. "Audrey, let's go and check on Mommy, okay?" he said, and picked Audrey up in his arms.
He carried her into the nursery and found Meg sitting in the rocking chair. "Meg, darling, what's wrong?" he asked when he saw the look on her face.
"Ben, it's too early. I..."
"Too early? Meg, what is it?" Ben asked as he placed Audrey down on the floor and walked over to Meg.
"Ben, I'm having contractions... This shouldn't be happening," she replied, desperately trying to hold back tears in front of the children. Jacob had entered the room, and walked over to Meg. "What's wrong, Mommy?" he asked innocently.
"Nothing, sweetie," she answered, forcing a smile. "Mommy will be fine."
"Jacob, could you take Audrey to your room and play?" Ben asked. "Behave yourselves," he added as the children walked, hand in hand, across the hall.
"Meg, are you sure it's contractions?" he asked, hoping that she was just imagining it, but knowing that she wasn't.
"Yes, Ben, it's contractions," she replied as she clutched her stomach, feeling another wave of pain travel through her. "Ben, you've got to do something," she pleaded.
"I'm going to do everything I can, Meg. I promise... Will you be okay here while I call Tyus?" he asked.
She nodded in response. "I'll be right back," he said. "Everything will be fine, Meg," he added, assuring her by gently squeezing her hand.
Ben rushed to the phone and made some phone calls - one to Tyus and one to Sara, for the children. He quickly returned to Meg.
"Tyus wants me to bring you in, sweetheart. Sara's on her way over to watch the children," he informed her as he came to her side.
The children were out of the room, and Meg took full advantage of it. "Ben, our babies... What if...
Oh, Ben!" she cried, unable to control her tears."I'm so scared..."
"So am I, Meg, but we've got to be strong, okay? For the children... All four of them... And for each other, okay? You've got to be strong," he said again, wondering how he was ever going to remain strong in a situation like this. He knew that the lives of three people were at stake here, and he couldn't handle losing any of them. He loved them all too much...
"Ben, please tell me that this is a dream. Please tell me that it's all just a horrible nightmare and that I'll wake up surrounded by all of our children. Please, Ben..." she sobbed.
"I wish I could, darling," he whispered, embracing her as tightly as he could. "I wish I could..."
CHAPTER TWENTY NINE
"Ben, you have to leave," Tyus said as he looked over at Ben, standing by Meg's side, holding tightly onto her hand.
"Tyus, I'm not leaving," he said firmly. "Meg needs me."
"Ben, you have to wait in the hall. Meg needs medical attention, and I can't give that to her until you leave," Tyus responded.
Ben looked at his wife and then back at Tyus.
"Fine..." He turned his attention back to Meg. "I'll be right outside the door if you need me, Meg... I love you," he whispered as he gently kissed her forehead.
Ben turned and walked towards the door.
"Ben..."
He turned back to look at Meg.
"I love you, too," she said through tears.
Ben stayed out in the hallway for what seemed like years. Each second that passed was another moment that Meg was in pain, and he wasn't there for her. He felt as if nothing he could do could make things better, but he knew he had to do something. He'd made a promise to his wife that everything would be okay, and he couldn't back out on it now. He had to be right... Meg and the babies had to be alright...
"Ben..." Tyus called as he came out into the hallway.
"Tyus," Ben said and immediately rose to his feet.
"We're doing all we can do, Ben, but if we have to deliver those babies now... Well, let's just say that the delivery needs to wait..."
"I understand," Ben replied quietly. "How's Meg?"
"She's pulling through fine. She's asking for you..."
Before Tyus could finish, Ben was entering the room. He saw Meg lying in bed. Her eyes were closed, and she looked weaker than he had ever seen her. He slowly walked to her bedside and bent down to kiss her cheek lightly. Her eyes fluttered open and she looked up at him.
"Ben..." she said weakly.
"Shh... I'm here, Meg... I'm here..." he soothed. He took her hand and squeezed it gently. She raised her other hand to her stomach and breathed a sigh of relief when she realized that the babies were still safe inside her... Or she hoped they were safe...
"Ben... The babies..."
"The babies are fine, Meg. Tyus is doing his best to make sure they stay that way..." He decided it would be best to keep the whole truth from her for now... She couldn't handle it now...
"Good," she sighed. "Ben?"
"Yes, darling?"
"I'm sorry..."
"Sorry? Meg, there's nothing for you to be sorry about."
"But - "
"Shh... Meg, it's not your fault. You couldn't have done anything to prevent this, and I don't want you to think otherwise." He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it tenderly. She smiled up at him weakly. "I love you..."
"I love you, too, Meg... And I'm the one that should be sorry..."
"No, Ben. You won't let me blame myself, and I'm not letting you blame yourself," she replied. He smiled back at her. "You need some rest," he said as he gently brushed her hair away from her face and wiped a single tear from her cheek.
"Don't leave me, Ben," she whispered.
"I won't... I'll never leave you..."
CHAPTER THIRTY
"How are you feeling?" Ben asked as he neared Meg's bed.
"A little tired, but I'm okay," she replied. "It hasn't been much fun lying in a hospital bed all day for the last two weeks," she said, trying to smile. "I know, darling. I know..." Ben said and sat down in the chair by the bed. "But I brought some entertainment for you this afternoon," he smiled.
"Entertainment? And what would that be?" she asked curiously.
"Well, actually it's more along the lines of visitors."
"Visitors?"
"Right..."
"And who are these visitors?"
"If you'll wait just a moment, I'll show you," he smiled. "I'll be right back," he said and kissed her cheek lightly. Several minutes later, he returned to the room with Jacob on one arm and Audrey on the other.
"Well, this is certainly a pleasant surprise,"Meg smiled, brightening up the instant she saw the children. "Come here," she said as Ben placed the children on the edge of the bed. Both Jacob and Audrey hugged their mother tightly and smothered her with kisses. "Mommy, are you sick?" Jacob asked.
Meg looked at her son with a tear in her eye.
"No, honey, Mommy isn't sick..." She couldn't begin to imagine how she could tell him that the babies were in danger...
"But you're in the hospital," he replied. Ben looked at Meg and she looked back at him, desperately searching for an answer to Jacob's question. Ben finally made an attempt at it.
"Jacob, do you remember when I told you that Mommy would have to stay in the hospital when the
babies were born?" Jacob nodded in response."Well, Mommy's going to have to stay here until the babies are born, son. The doctors have to take good care of her and the babies... Do you understand?"
"Yes, Daddy," he replied. "But when are the babies coming?" he asked.
"We don't know yet, sweetie," Meg answered. "But it will be a little longer. So, I really need you and Daddy to take care of Audrey for me, okay?"
"Okay, Mommy," he agreed. He looked up and saw his mother crying. "Mommy, why are you crying?" he asked.
"Sweetie, Mommy just misses you two so much," she smiled through tears and then pulled both of the children into her arms again.
Ben watched as the most amazing woman he'd ever known held two of the most adorable children in the world in her arms, and protected the other two in her stomach. He smiled when Meg looked up at him and then came over to join the family.
Ben sat down by Meg and the children and took Meg's hand in his. He squeezed it gently and smiled at her again. Jacob and Audrey snuggled into Meg's arms and fell asleep almost immediately.
"I guess I should take them home," Ben said as he stood to pick up the children.
"No, Ben. Let them stay," Meg said quietly, careful not to wake the sleeping angels in her arms.
"Meg, darling, you need your rest," Ben replied.
"I'll rest alot easier if I have these two here with me," she reasoned. He reluctantly agreed. "I suppose that will be alright... But only for awhile, Meg. I'm sure you're uncomfortable," he added, indicating the sleeping arrangements.
"Well, to be quite honest, this is the most comfortable I've been in the last two weeks," she said as she gently stroked Audrey's dark hair. Ben smiled at her and sat back down in the chair by the bed. They sat there in silence for several minutes...
"Ben..." Meg said quietly.
"Yes, Meg?"
"I'm really scared, Ben..."
"I know," he said quietly. "So am I..."
"Ben, what if... What if I don't make it through the delivery this time?" she asked, holding back her tears.
"Meg, you can't think that way. You're getting the best care possible and there's no reason to even think that you won't come through just fine."
"Ben, I'm glad that you're thinking so positively, but we've got to face reality. Chances are, I'm not going to come through this 'just fine.' I know Tyus is doing everything he can, Ben, but that might not be enough this time..."
"Meg..."
"Ben, it's true, and you know it just as well as I do. I could die - "
"Meg, please stop..."
"Ben, I need you to know something..." Ben just looked at her, more scared than he had ever been...
"I need you to know that I love you. I love you more than I ever thought possible. And you have to know this, too, Ben... I don't regret getting pregnant again. Not even for a second..."
"Meg..."
"Ben, I know that you're blaming yourself. I know you are... But I don't want you to think that this is your fault, because it's not. If... If something DOES happen to me, Ben, I want you to go on without me. Don't... Don't spend years mourning me, Ben..."
"No, Meg. Just stop...." Ben said, frustrated.
"I can't stop, Ben. I need to finish... You and the children mean the world to me, and I want you all to go on and live your lives, okay? Please tell me that you won't stop because of me..."
"Meg, we aren't going to have to stop because of you because you're gonna be here. I won't LET you leave me, Meg. I refuse to let you go and I won't let you think like this anymore. You have to pull through this... Not just for me, but for the children, Meg. We all need you..."
Meg had managed to hold back her tears through her own pleas, but she couldn't handle them during Ben's. She cried softly, thinking of the children.
"Ben, I need you, too, and that's why I want you to promise me that, no matter what happens you, won't let me stop you from living your life. I know what that put you through once already, and I won't let it happen again. I already saw what that put you through..."
Ben didn't want to tell her, but he knew that losing her would be much worse than losing Maria all those years ago. Meg held his heart, and losing her would be like losing half of himself. They had created children together, shared the most intimate moments of their lives with one another, and confided in each other about everything through the years. He couldn't imagine life without Meg, and he didn't want to...